Events Calendar

The Indigenous Artist Residency is a new program that celebrates innovative Aboriginal artists and provides opportunities for collaboration, performance, and skills development supported by the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society.

A Cree musician, contemporary dancer and choreographer, Coastal Jazz’s Indigenous Artist-in-residence Jessica McMann is also a classically trainedflutist with a focus on contemporary music, jazz, and improvisation. Her recent compositions and soundscapes explore Indigenous identity and history. She has been dancing fancy shawl and hoop dance for 17 years, and her work, both traditional and contemporary, has been seen at festivals across Canada and Northern Europe. She works regularly with Elijah Wells, a Blackfoot animator, to bring the stories of Transgender, Two-Spirit, and Queer persons alive. She is a Laureate of the Hnatyshyn Foundation REVEAL Indigenous Art Awards.

Karen Donaldson-Shepherd is a singer, songwriter and musician from Western Canada. She has been nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award for Best Aboriginal Songwriter in 2007. In 2008 along with her group The Crow Girls, she was awarded Best Folk Album at the Native American Music Awards. Karen has performed in Gwangju South Korea, Pretoria South Africa, Hawaii and in Western Canada. Her music is a reflection of the many wonderful people she’s met whilst travelling throughout the many trails life has taken her.

Beverley McKiver is a collaborative pianist and storyteller. She has collaborated with singers and instrumentalists, served as a choir director, event planner, trainer, teacher, and public speaker. She is passionate about community engagement in the arts, social justice and helping others to achieve their full potential.

Jessica has been working on some new music that extends beyond Indigenous flute music and classical music.  With the opportunity provided by Coastal Jazz , she has the freedom to experiment beyond her usual work, and collaborate with other Indigenous musicians.  The performance will include the work created during the residency as well as showcasing a few songs from collaborators Beverley McKiver and Karen Donaldson-Shepherd.

We would like to thank our co-funders the BC Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts for their support in the development of this program.